ArtsQuest has announced that it has set an attendance record for the 2023 Christkindlmarkt, presented by Univest Financial, with 117,500 attending the 31st annual Christmas market, up almost 10 percent from 2022 when 107,000 attended.

“We are so grateful to everyone that came out this year, making Christkindlmarkt our largest and most successful event to date,” said Eric Bauder, ArtsQuest Senior Events Manager.

“We’d also like to thank our volunteers who helped spread holiday cheer every weekend along with the support of the Bethlehem Police Department who made safety a priority for the entire festival,” Bauder said.

Crowds packed the market every weekend, even on rainy Sundays. The event, which opened Nov. 17, ran for five consecutive weekends, as well as Thursdays, until Dec. 17. Free Fridays were extended from 5 to 8 p.m.

More than 150 vendors, crafters and artisans from the Lehigh Valley, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Wisconsin offered items for sale, including holiday-themed ornaments, hand-knit clothing, jewelry, candles, artwork, woodwork and pet products.

The ArtsQuest Glass Studio sold out its Glass-Blowing Experience for the entirety of the weekends early on with 336 tickets.

Live music returned as choral groups and musicians from the Lehigh Valley performed and sang carols, often in front of the Christmas tree at PNC Plaza.

The Ice Carving Station had more visitors at its new location next to the Visitors’ Center. “Personal Igloos” and fire pits added to the festive atmosphere.

The SteelStacks Ice Skating Rink presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital helped bring in more crowds. The rink is open until Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Day.

More than 500, including children and their families, enjoyed Breakfast with St. Nick.

Food for purchase included German fare in addition to pizza, burgers and chicken.

This year, food trucks were located outside the tents.

Bars were in every tent. A large lounge area with big-screen TVs was in the food tent.

Two production teams filmed at the market, one for a feature film and the second for a TV show, expected to be shown in fall 2024.